Pong-Playing Robot Plus Three Bonus Robot Gamers

This pong-playing robot is scarily focused; as long as the power is on, you can't win.

This project was an experiment in embodying the virtual into our physical world. Our attitude towards this robot is different from a virtual computer player, losing from it more annoying as he is sitting right next to you. Our interaction becomes richer as you could for example cheat by blocking his sight.

The Pong Robot illustrates the narrowness of human-computer interaction at the moment. With one webcam and two electro-fingers you can mimic it...

Take a look at the webcam head of this robot focus on the task at hand.

REEM-A is a prototype built by PAL Technology Robotics. The friendly robot is about four feet ten inches tall and weighs about ninety pounds. It can carry five pounds in each arm; both arms are equipped with gripper claws (which are also used when REEM-A plays chess.